DASH program paves way for senior service

If you’re like me, you don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to looking for something you need. Now, of course, I am not speaking of moseying through shops searching for that perfect gift. I am referring to the search for a specific agency which offers a specific service.

Does this sound familiar? You need some help – could be anything from heat assistance to finding an adult day program or accessible transportation for a disabled loved one. You’re not really sure who to call, so you get out the phone book and start flipping through pages.

The search can be maddening, and often people give up in frustration.

Well, that no longer needs to happen because the Disability and Aging Services Helpline Network is available to help in the pursuit of services. Part of a national Aging and Disability Resource Center project, DASH connects seniors and people with disabilities to the services that they need.

“This project is designed to improve the awareness of, and access to, long-term support systems for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers and to make it easier for them to navigate the variety of community services that are available to help support their independence in the community,” said Val Sauda, director of community services at Eastern Agency on Aging, where the DASH Network is based.

“This means that these individuals will have one place to call to get help finding the services they need,” she added. “No longer will they make a variety of calls to different agencies hoping to hit the right one in the search of help. The DASH Network will be able to give them a list of services based on what their exact need really is.”

For some people, trying to explain exactly what they need is a challenge. But DASH has thought of that.

“We have trained resource specialists who will be able to discern a person’s particular need and then help them,” said Sauda. “And we’d like seniors and people with disabilities to be involved in this project by providing feedback about the experience they had when calling for assistance and whether the information given was helpful or not. They can also be involved by joining the consumer advisory board comprised of seniors, people with a variety of disabilities and caregivers who meets quarterly. Their input is vital to the efficiency of this service.”

DASH is funded through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal Administration on Aging, and is administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Elder Services.

Now don’t throw out your phone book, but for a social services referral, call DASH at EAA at 941-2865. Help is at the end of the phone line.

And circle Wednesday, March 28, on your calendar so you will remember to come to the DASH fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Spectacular Events Center, Griffin Road, Bangor. There will be a variety of social service agencies on hand to show off their services, and also a drug drop-off point, so be sure to bring your expired or unneeded medications.

It is imperative to get these prescriptions out of the house, lest you take them by mistake. And always keep all prescriptions out of the reach of grandchildren. A police officer will be standing by to take these drugs off your hands so they can be disposed of properly. This is a great time to think about spring cleaning, so why not start off with your medicine chest, kitchen cabinet, or refrigerator – wherever you keep your medications.

And be sure to join us for the DASH fair. For more information, call EAA at 941-2865 and ask for Karyn Grass.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, toll-free (800) 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0150.